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BMF relaunches MOL distance learning courses

The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) is expanding its product training portfolio with the relaunch of MOL’s specialist product knowledge distance learning courses for the merchant sector.

MOL has been developing and delivering professional qualifications for over 30 years. Their courses have proved popular with merchants in the past, not least because they lead to a City & Guilds (C&G) qualification, which is internationally recognised.

MOL’s workbook-based distance learning modules cover a wide range of specialist subjects in four key areas, Plumbing and Heating, Timber and Building, Climate Management and Electrical Products. They are designed to help students build a generic understanding of the principles of each subject area and thus enhance their ability to advise and support customers.

Volunteers needed to develop NOS for Health and Safety in Wood

Proskills is looking for volunteers to help develop National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Health and Safety in Wood. The first meeting will take place on 15th July 2015 at 10.30 at GQA Offices, Sheffield.

The working group, expected to meet at least twice throughout the project, will be responsible for:

- Identifying standards for development- Supporting the development of the standards- Support wider consultation- Signing off the final standards

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the woodworking industry, especially in small and medium business, has one of the highest accident rates in manufacturing, most of which are caused by contact with moving machinery. This accounted for 25% of all major accidents and one of last year’s. In 2012‐13 the HSE received 784 reported injuries.

According to a new study led by Andrew Dunn, chief executive of the Timber Development Association (TDA) in Australia, timber buildings can be up to 10-15% cheaper to construct than concrete-framed or steel-framed buildings.

The report “Commercial Building Costing Case Studies – Traditional Design versus Timber Project” shows that timber construction saves 12.4% for a commercial office building, 13.9% for an aged care facility, 2.2% for an apartment building and 9.4% for a portal-framed industrial shed. The study includes costs associated with heating, ventilation and air-conditioning, facade and acoustic insulation.

The University of Technology Sydney, alongside Arup, AECOM, Studio 505 and Fitzpatrick + Partners, co-developed the research method and collaborated on design, cost and site issues.

PEFC calls on Consumers to make a difference on tackling deforestation

"By opting for PEFC‐labelled products consumers can all make our own small yet important contribution to avoid deforestation and support responsible forest management”, highlighted Mr William Street Jr., Chairman of PEFC International, at the Forest Certification Leaders' summit held yesterday in London.

“At a time when the world’s governments, businesses and civil society leaders are focusing on developing global commitments to combat climate change, to be agreed at the Climate Summit in Paris in December this year, consumers can already participate in making a difference”, Mr Street added.

According to a recent PEFC survey, more than 2/3 of consumers globally think that opting for a labeled certified product, from sustainably managed forests, can have a positive impact on the environment.

During the London summit, the panels also discussed the importance of well-managed woodlands, underlining targets and achievements of PEFC's approach. "Since PEFC started some 15 years ago, as a small European NGO, our movement has rapidly expanded to a worldwide phenomenon and now more than 260 million hectares of forests worldwide are verified as being sustainably managed. To put this in scale, that is an area equivalent to the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden and Finland combined", explained Ben Gunneberg, CEO of PEFC International.

“Nowadays, we see tremendous interest in our work especially in Asia, where we have seen China, Indonesia and Malaysia obtaining PEFC recognition in the past few years. This has been acting as a catalyst to inspire other countries in the region, such as India, Japan, Nepal, Philippines, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam, to follow their example of promoting sustainable forest management and PEFC certification. We are about to make great strides in Africa in the Congo Basin were we expect to see the first certifications shortly,” Mr Gunneberg concluded.

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Jun 26th 2015

Wood in Architecture Award 2015 last call for entries

The World Architecture News (WAN) Wood in Architecture Award 2015 is closing for entries on the 30th of June.

The award aims to honour the most daring, innovative and visually buildings that highlight the unique qualities of timber. The winner will be announced at the UK Construction Week on 8 October 2015.